32 receive 2026 Gawad Pangulo

The Gawad Pangulo 2026 — the highlight of the University of the Philippines’ founding anniversary celebrations — honored 32 university-linked units, organizations, and individuals for exemplifying UP’s core values of honor, excellence, and service to the nation. The awarding ceremony, held June 26 at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, UP Diliman, formally closed the first-ever Buwan ng Unibersidad.

The award is the highest recognition given by the UP president to members of the UP community for their outstanding achievements and contributions, and for advancing the university’s mission of leadership in public service and academic excellence.

UP President Angelo Jimenez, in his opening message, highlighted the impact of the awardees. He said they are able to transform excellence into service and embody the UP core values of honor and excellence in the service of the nation.

“Their work reminds us that the mission of UP does not end at the classroom door, the laboratory bench, the office desk, the performance stage, or the graduation ceremony. It continues wherever knowledge is shared, wherever communities are empowered, wherever opportunities are created, and wherever hope is made possible,” Jimenez lauded the honorees.

Dr. Pierangeli Vital, university researcher and Career Scientist II from the UPD Natural Sciences Research Institute — speaking on behalf of the awardees of the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Kawani under the research, extension, and professional staff category — highlighted the important role of REPS. She affirmed how they uphold the values of resilience, resourcefulness, excellence, and public service as members of the UP community. She also expressed appreciation to the NSRI, recipient of the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Yunit sa Pananaliksik, where she is deputy director.

“Public service reminds us that our efforts gain meaning when they create positive change and benefit society. Our work finds expression in tangible outcomes, such as contributing to the creation and adoption of Philippine National Standards, providing scientific and technical expertise to various sectors, and generating knowledge that informs policy and improves lives,” Vital said.

Dr. Philip Ian Padilla, interim dean of the UP Mindanao School of Medicine, spoke on behalf of the UP Visayas Municipal Leadership and Governance Program, which won the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Serbisyo Publiko. He said that realities in the rural areas require health leadership that connects UP campuses to local governments and communities.

“Puntahan natin ang nasa laylayan. Magtayo ng mga tulay para sa mga nanay at batang hanggang ngayon, doktor ay ‘di pa nakikita. Huwag tayong maghintay. Ang ani ay sagana. Ang oras para mag-ani ay ngayon na,” (Let us go to the margins. Build bridges for mothers and children who have yet to see a doctor. We should not wait. There is abundant yield. Now is the time for harvest), Padilla urged.

UP Vice President for Public Affairs Marian Coquia-Regidor, in her closing message, said that the Buwan ng Unibersidad celebrations and the Gawad Pangulo awardees inspire and unite the UP community to do the extraordinary, to innovate, and to reach out.

The Buwan ng Unibersidad, with the theme “Tumutugon. Naglilingkod. Para sa Bayan,” was an opportune time for the UP community to reflect on the university’s history, honor its people, and reaffirm its role in serving the Filipino nation.

The awardees of the Gawad Pangulo 2026 are:

Natatanging Yunit sa Administrasyon, Pananaliksik at Paglikha, at Ekstensyon

Yunit Administrasyon

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, UP Diliman
Procurement Management Office, UP Los Baños
College of Home Economics – Office of Research and Publication, UPD

Ekstensyon

UPD MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory

Pananaliksik at Paglikha

UPD Natural Sciences Research Institute

Natatanging Kawani ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas

Administrative Staff

(Category 1)

Julio Curiano Jr. – Administrative Aide III, UPD MSI
Jessie Garcia – Administrative Assistant II, UP PGH Office of the Director- Emergency Room Management Action Team

(Category 2)

Anna Razel Ramirez – Publication Circulation Officer II, UP Visayas Information and Publications Office

(Category 3)

Victoria Canape-Belegal – Chief Administrative Officer, UP Open University Campus Development and Maintenance Office
Eileen Lorena Mamino – Supervising Administrative Officer, UPLB Procurement Management Office
Apolinario Ericson Berberabe – Deputy Director for Administration, UP PGH Office of the Deputy Director for Administration

Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS)

(SG 17 and below Category)

Larry Boy Sabangan – UPD

(SG 18 and above Category)

Dr. Pierangeli Vital – UPD

Natatanging Akademikong Institusyon

College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences – UPV
College of Public Health – UP Manila
National College of Public Administration and Governance – UPD

Natatanging Organisasyong Pang-mag-aaral

Academic, Professional, and Research Organizations Category

Philippine Association of Nutrition – Alpha-Omega Chapter (PAN-AO), UPLB

Advocacy, Service, Leadership, and Social Impact Organizations Category

The Hope Project – UPM
Phi Lambda Delta Society – UPM

Natatanging Alumni

UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) – UPD
PGH CARE Society for Nurses – PGH UPM
UP Manila College of Medicine Class 1967 – UPM
UP Concert Chorus Alumni Association – UPD
UPLB Alumni Association, Inc. – UPLB

Natatanging Serbisyo Publiko

Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines – Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO) – UPLB
Capacity Building, Development and Implementation of National Practice Guidelines for Evidence-Informed Healthcare – UPM
Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP) – UPV
Coastline 5023 – UPV

Organization Category